Artists' Cafe

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Art Licensing Info: Industry Icon Interview

"[Art Licensing Info's] second Industry Icon Interview of 2016 is a very fun one! We got to hang out in person with Colleen at her cozy cottage studio built in the 1800's.

In this interview, Colleen shares her story from corporate life to artist, and sheds light on her style, values and direction as relates to her brand and her life. She even plays the "Favorite Things" game with us...!" Listen...

Squam: Morning on the Dock

A lovely interview with Elizabeth from Squam for their Morning on the Dock Podcast Series, discussions intended to encourage creativity, "pleasure and mindfulness in your day...[as well as] strengthen and celebrate your resolve to continue to define your unique way of being in the world." Listen...

Stationery Trends

Top Instagram Posts of 2015

My card made Stampington & Co.'s Top Instagram Posts of 2015
"Allow yourself time to play. It will all come together beautifully if you let go and trust the process." — @colleenattara, from the pages of Sew Somerset. #stampington #sewsomerset #creativity #inspiration #mixedmedia

Sew Somerset

Sew Somerset

"Colleen breeds new life into old objects."

Artists of Yardley present annual juried show at Capital Health-Hopewell

Janet Purcell | The Times of Trenton | February 21, 2014

I chose Colleen Attara's "Enough" collage for third place, and that was because she carried through her original concept in the small piece.

A collaged paper bearing the words "Just knowing you are near is enough" is stitched to the surface of the work, along with trunks of trees that complete a wooded scene.

At the roots of a tree, Attara clipped and stitched a dictionary definition: "PEACE: Quiet. Tranquil." These images are sewn to a map showing minimally around the edges, and the threads that hold it all together are left to trail off the edges. Attara's ability to carry the work through from concept to completion was prizeworthy. Read the Article »

A Brave New World

Kristin Boyd | Bucks Life Magazine | Winter 2012

"When Colleen Attara talks about how she uses old plastics, recycled store signs and mistake paint to shape her surreal, three-dimensional artwork, her passion makes life feel like it is dripping with excess possibility." Read the Article »

Where Joy Is an Artform

Wall-to-wall whimsy: A Lower Makefield artist's work becomes a landmark at a new hospital in New Jersey

Gwen Shrift | Courier Times | December 6, 2011

"Artist Colleen Attara has executed many commissions for her environmentally friendly work, but none as big as the one she just completed..." Read the Article »

An Interview with Yardley Eco-Artist Colleen Attara

Kathleen Black | The Yardley Voice | November 4, 2011

"Over the course of 11 days in September 2011, Colleen Attara of Yardley installed a 70-foot three-dimensional mural made out of repurposed business signs and 'mistake paint' along the pediatric corridor at Capital Health Medical Center in Hopewell, New Jersey ... We had the opportunity to chat about this project, the largest of her career so far, as well as the events that brought her to this place in her life." Read the Article »

Discarded Objects Find New Life as 'Joyful Art'

Janet Purcell | The Times of Trenton | October 14, 2011

"To satisfy her love of creating art from discarded materials, she rummages through bins of discards at a plastic fabricating company, picks up signs that can not be reused at a Trenton sign shop and haunts salvage yards for old windows, which she turns into works of art." Read the Article »

Capital Health promises stylish and soothing place to heal

Erin Duffy | The Times of Trenton | September 24, 2011

"The hospital, which will include an on-site art gallery, will display art from nearly 70 local artists throughout its corridors and patient rooms. The works range from the calm and peaceful — Tuscany scenes done in dusty browns and greens by prominent Princeton architect and artist Michael Graves — to the bright pops of yellow, orange and pink found in Colleen Attara’s recycled art installation piece." Feature Clipping »

Colleen Attara

Cathie Viksjo | Bucks County: Town and Country Living | Spring 2011

"Brightly colored flowers in a window frame but going beyond its rectangular boundaries says joy in a way that subdued colors never could."Read the Article »

Published Words

Healing loss through art...an altered book

Bereavement Care | Volume 31 | Issue 3 | 2012

"As an artist, I had been creating artwork and teaching for years, but this altered book was the first piece of art I had ever created that was just for me. In it, there was no right or wrong. It became my journal; a place I could say anything because these pages were safe. Grammar did not matter so much. Self-expression was key, both visual and written." Read the Journal Article »

Blogs

One Word Three Sixty Five | #oneword365

March 4, 2014

"So a material that had no value now has value for us both. And the person buying the hand-scripted word also feels good about the way the word was created." Read the Feature »

Creating An Ethical Eco-Based Business

Oh My! Handmade Goodness | April 10, 2013

"I am an eco-artist and a treasure hunter. I see 'yes' where others see 'no'. I see possibility where others see trash." Read the Feature »

DIYU: Creative Journaling with Altered Books

DIYU @ TrashN2Tees | March 14, 2013

"Colleen is an amazing artist, mother, wife, daughter and friend who is full of grace & passion. I couldn't be more excited to have her here today teaching us the art of creative journaling. I urge you to learn more about her efforts in healing loss through art and look for upcoming workshops in her studio." Read the Feature »

{Hope Notes}

The Petit Cadeau | March 14, 2013

"Someday very soon I wish to meet Colleen Attara in real life. She is an amazing example of humanity." Read the Feature »

Healing Loss Through Art: A Recipe for Letting Go

Oh My! Handmade Goodness | January 29, 2013

"I want to take a minute to wrap my virtual arms around Colleen and give her a huge hug and thanks for writing this post ... Sharing loss so openly online like this is courageous and beautiful. We all have moments when we need to navigate dark places in our hearts but creativity and community make shining a light into those corners so much more joyful." Read the Feature »

Meeting the Makers: Colleen Attara

Oh My! Handmade Goodness | July 24, 2012

"One look at the picture above and you’ll know exactly why I invited Colleen of Colleen Attara Studio to visit us to share her creative journey. Her bright joyful art and spirit make the world a more beautiful place and her story is one that so many of us will be called to." Read the Feature »

Colleen Attara - Eco Artist Interview

Heather Davulcu | April Heather Art | November 11, 2011

"Let me tell you - she is a FORCE to be reckoned with. A force of good!" Read the Feature »

Videos & Courses

How do artists find their niche?

Highbrow | 2016

"Colleen Attara is an eco-artist who salvages discarded materials and signs to create affirmations in the form of wall signs and greeting card collections.

Rethinking then reusing materials to refocus her thoughts is foundational to her creative process..."

Make Money Making Art with Ann Rea

CreativeLive | March 10, 2014

Guest 'Artist Who THRIVES' on CreativeLive's wildly popular business and money course, Make Money Making Art with Ann Rae. View Course Details »

NJ.com

PhillyBurbs.com

PBS 39: Art-a-la-Carte

"Colleen Attara, of Bucks County, went green by instinct and by design. She describes her finished works as 'imperfectly perfect' because she uses the imperfections in recycled materials as part of her signature style. Colleen breeds new life into old objects." Watch on YouTube »